Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has refused to attend a scheduled parliamentary questioning session, avoiding scrutiny over a growing diplomatic controversy involving an alleged fake Saudi royal welcomed by the Maldives government.
The question, submitted by Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, was on the agenda for 14 July. It sought clarification on whether President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had indeed met with a genuine member of the Saudi royal family—Fahad Saud Al Shalan—who visited the Maldives earlier this year.
Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim informed Parliament that Minister Khaleel had cited other “meetings and work” as reasons for his absence. However, no official engagements were listed at the Foreign Ministry during the time, raising concerns over the minister’s avoidance of accountability.
Fahad Al Shalan was invited to attend the inauguration of the Maldives International Financial Centre (MIFC), a project by a Qatari company. He was introduced as a Saudi royal and received at the President’s Office, with photos and news of the meeting later shared publicly. But ahead of President Muizzu’s Hajj trip in June, the President’s Office deleted all related content from its website.
MP Meekail questioned not only Al Shalan’s royal status but also why the Saudi Embassy did not participate in the event. He further asked whether the incident had affected Maldives-Saudi relations.
A senior official told multiple media outlets that the Saudi government was “very upset” over the false claim and protested after the Maldives government failed to issue a correction or apology. According to the source, the Saudi government formally instructed the removal of all content related to the visit.
It has also come to light that the Maldives government conducted communications about Al Shalan’s visit through secret letters. Two cabinet ministers are reportedly involved in arranging his arrival. The entire operation was kept hidden from the public and even some government institutions.
Minister Khaleel’s absence from Parliament has sparked criticism, with opposition MPs calling it an attempt to avoid accountability. The government has yet to officially clarify Al Shalan’s identity.
